I understand there is a new LiveStream hosting option, called "EasyCam", that requires no additional software to install. Where can I find out more about it?

EasyCam is iFriend's easiest method of LiveStream hosting. To learn more, check out our special EasyCam FAQ at: http://www.iFriends.net/chathostsonly/livestream/EasyCamFAQ.htm. If you like what you see and want to give it a try, read over the instructions at: http://www.iFriends.net/chathostsonly/livestream/flash123.htm, then simply choose the "iFriends EasyCam" option on the sign-in page.

What does "LiveStream" DO, anyway?

LiveStream lets you send a much smoother video stream to your viewers than is possible with your iFCam software and provides better support for sending audio. However, your viewers have to have special software installed to view it (unlike with iFCam, where all they need is a web browser), and you have to have a faster PC and Internet connection to get the best results. LiveStream uses either Microsoft Windows Media Encoder or Real Networks' Helix Producer to send the video in Windows Media or Real Media (Real Player) format.

Do you have a "QuickStart Guide" that walks me through everything step by step?

Sure -- Click here for Windows Media, or click here for RealMedia format.

The visual quality of my LiveStream is good ... as long as I sit still and don't move. If I move suddenly, the image pixelates and deteriorates badly.

This is an indication that your PC and webcam drivers have the necessary horsepower to get the basic job done, and that you have sufficient internet bandwidth speed. But that "sudden movement" which causes pixelation is when your equipment is really put to the test, because that's when the Encoder software is pushed to its limit. So, if your livestream works well at all times except when there's lots of motion, the only answer is to upgrade your hardware -- in particular, a faster CPU (new PCs are more than 2.4ghz now) and more RAM. For optimal performance, upgrade to at least a 2ghz PC with at least 256MB of ram.

Why is there a several-second delay in seeing my own video through the iFriends interface? There isn't a delay in the Windows Media Encoder or Helix Producer preview window!

Windows Media Encoder and Real Helix Producer use buffering when they transmit the frames they capture from your cam. The buffering delay helps smooth out quick freezes and other issues that arise while capturing. (With buffering, fewer visitors will report starts and stops). Visitors to your iFriends videochat room will also experience this same brief delay.

Does Livestream support sound?

Yes -- and as a general rule, it supports sound more universally than ifCam. If you've had trouble in the past getting ifCam to send sound, give LiveStream a try.

When looking for a DSL or Cable Connection, what's important?

Bandwidth, bandwidth, bandwidth! Especially upload bandwidth. In many cases, DSL and Cable connections support sufficiently high rates of speed to support LiveStream to its full potential. But watch out el-cheapo services that have turtle-like upload speeds. Some DSL services let you download lightning, but limit your upload speed to not much faster than dialup speeds, such as 64kbps. (For you those of you who are newcomers to all this, "download speed" is the rate at which you can download web pages or graphics from the internet. "Upload speed" is the rate at which you can send files and images to other places on the internet). For example, DSL innovator Covad Communications recently launched super-cheap nationwide DSL service (see news item). But don't fall for the el-cheapo version that only offers 64kbps upload speeds (that's not much faster than a 56k dialup modem!).

Quote: "The TeleSurfer Link DSL (digital subscriber line) broadband service is directed at consumers. It costs just $21.95 per month for the first four months, and $39.95 thereafter. The always-on connection has download speeds of up to 200 kbps, or about four times faster than most dial-up connections. It has upload speeds of up to 64 kbps. This is the lowest-priced offering of its existing DSL services. Its $49.95 a month plan provides download speeds of 608 kbps and upload speeds of 128 kbps; its $59.95 a month service offers download speeds of 1.5 mbps and upload speeds of 128 kbps; and the $89 a month package, aimed at businesses, offers download speeds of 1.5 mbps and upload speeds of 384 kbps. "

(In case you were wondering, iFriends LiveStream would work best with Covad's $89/month DSL package ... it should even support the iFriends Pro configuration in most cases)

I'm using the "iFriendsRegular" settings, but my viewers complain that my video is choppy or that it keeps "buffering". How can I stop this?

Try using the "iFriendsModem" settings instead. On the sign-in page, simply choose the iFriendsModem option. (Windows Media users, be sure to return to the page where you downloaded the iFriendsRegular.wme file and try download and use the iFriendsModem.wme file instead). True, your video may not be as clear, but your viewers will see a MUCH smoother video stream. Even if you have a high-speed connection, there may be a slow connection somewhere between you and us. Also, many ISPs' "high-speed connections" let you DOWNLOAD (receive) at high speeds, but you still UPLOAD (send) at speeds comparable to dial-up.

I'm using the "iFriendsRegular" settings, and it works fine. The problem is, I'm using a hi-octane PC, and have an amazingly fast dedicated net connection. Is there a higher-speed/higher-quality configuration iFriends offers to "high-end" chathosts like me?

Yes -- Call or email Chathost Support and ask them to activate your account for the "iFriends Pro" configuration. They'll activate your account and send you back instructions on how to start using the iFriendsPro. Note: You must be running a very high-end, modern PC, plus be using a very fast net connection (often, DSL or cable isn't fast enough) for this to work. If you experience problems, revert back to 'iFriends Regular').

How do I know when someone enters my LiveStream videochat room?

There are two methods:

1. In your iFriends videochat interface, below your video window, appear two colums -- the first column identifies the IP addresses of any viewers that are watching your full video. The second column identifies the IP addresses of any viewers that are watching you via Voyeur View.
2. Watch your chat window closely. When a member enters your LiveStream room, you'll see the usual message. You should also hear an audible beep as well, although this feature may or may not work depending upon your audio setup. Note: The final release version of LiveStream will include all the familiar "ifCam" features, such as customizable sound alerts, IP-address window, etc.

Can I tell if someone is watching my LiveStream videochat room through the VoyeurView?

Yes. In your iFriends videochat interface, below your video window, appear two colums -- the first column identifies the IP addresses of any viewers that are watching your full video. The second column identifies the IP addresses of any viewers that are watching you via Voyeur View.

Is it true that I can replay my live LiveStream sessions 24/7?

You bet. If you're looking for the lowest-hassles method that maximizes your iFriends earnings while you sleep or follow life's other pursuits (who isn't?), here's what to do:

First, use iFriends' new LiveStream format to host the live videochat that you want to play back later. While hosting your live videochat, click the "other options" link in your iFriends videochat interface, and select the "Record a Replay Session" link. (This works just like taking an archive videoclip -- the moment you click that link, iFriends begins recording your session for future replay). After you finish recording, iFriends adds the recorded clip to your very own "Replay Library", which you can access from the chathost console in the "Edit Archives" section. Once you have populated your Replay Library with at least one clip, you're good to go -- when you're ready to playback that replay in the iFriends Replay section, just sign in a new chathost session as usual, and select the new LiveStream replay options on the session sign-in forms. (Using these forms, you can even combine multiple clips from your replay library into a full movie ... in any sequence you desire.) But the best part of all? iFriends does all the work of serving the replay for you, so you can turn off your PC when you sleep! (Yeah!).

I'm not satisfied with the quality of the video I'm seeing in either the Windows Media Encoder window or in my own iFriends videochat window.

Poor video observed on your own PC indicates that your PC lacks the necessary system resources to run the power-hungry Media Encoder. This has nothing to do with the speed of your internet connection, and has everything to do with the horsepower of your PC. (In fact, you can even turn off your internet connection and still get the same results in the Windows Media Encoder window). The only remedy: A better/faster/stronger/newer PC.

When trying to sign in a session, all I get is an error that says "Unable to create Media Stream". What gives?

First of all, make sure that your Windows Media Encoder is running, and that your video appears in the top portion of the Encoder window. If not, have you pressed Start in the lower-right of the Encoder window?.

I'm on a slower connection and my video seems choppy, but my viewers don't seem to mind. Is it possible they are seeing my own video even better than I am?

Could be. Your viewers are using just enough bandwidth to view your video, but you've got to use enough bandwidth to send out your video AND view it yourself (that's twice as much!). So, your video may actually be slightly clearer for your viewers. However, if you are using the iFriendsRegular settings, it might be time to switch down to iFriendsModem as discussed above.

Because of (whatever reason), I had to restart the RealProducer, and now my video isn't working right. What gives?

If you restart the RealProducer program, you must sign out of your LiveStream session and sign in a new one for your video to work properly. RealProducer should never be started manually, but only by clicking the "Start Encoding" link on the sign-in page.

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Note -- The contents of this FAQ will be updated based upon the feedback you provide and questions you ask us at the LiveStream Feedback Form.